RAD Ultimate Flying Object (UFO) Review: A Max-Cushion Super Trainer With Real Range

Introduction

Some shoes build a reputation quietly. The RAD Ultimate Flying Object, better known as the UFO, arrived with a wave of requests from readers asking for a proper look, and after time on the road it is easy to see why. RAD, short for Rally Against Destruction, has produced a bold, big, genuinely fast-capable max-cushion trainer that punches well above what its chunky silhouette suggests.

For a UK 11 (US 12), it weighs around 296 g (10.4 oz), with the sample size coming in nearer 249 g (8.8 oz). The sample heel stack is 42 mm with 34 mm up front, an 8 mm drop; in the larger size it measures closer to 45 mm in the heel and 37 mm in the forefoot. On foot it does not feel like an 8 mm drop thanks to a significant heel bevel and an early rocker up front.

Who the RAD UFO Is For

The standout geometry number is the landing platform: roughly 13.5 cm wide in the forefoot and 11.5 cm in the heel. That is the widest platform measured in any shoe on test, putting it firmly in Superblast 3 and Merrell Plus territory: a super-soft, wide-stable option built for volume.

This is a trainer, not a racer, and it makes the most sense for runners logging half marathon and marathon training blocks, long runs with pace bursts, and easy or recovery days where extra surface area and softness pay off. For lighter runners or shorter 5k and 10k sessions, it may simply be too much shoe under foot.

Upper: Comfortable, Breathable, and Unapologetically ’90s

The upper mixes mesh with an almost felt-like material and leans hard into ’90s aesthetics, which works rather well. It looks better in hand than in photos. Lace loops make lockdown easy, and the soft, stretchy laces cinch down to a glove-like fit without excess lace left over, so there is no need to size up or down from your standard running shoe length.

The padded heel and tongue contribute to the slightly higher weight, which is the one real criticism here. It is no slouch under 300 g, but lighter than rivals such as the Vomero Plus (around 333 g) while sitting closer to shoes like the Saucony Azura or Mizuno Neo Zen 2 in feel. Breathability held up well in around 18°C conditions, the gusseted tongue stayed put, and there were no hot spots or slide. A 2.8 out of 3 for the upper, dinged only by that extra material weight.

Midsole: Dual-Layer PEBA Foam With Genuine Pace Range

The midsole uses a dual layer of PEBA-based foam: softer on top, with a slightly firmer, more responsive layer underneath. The result runs a bit like a more stacked Adidas Evo SL, which is not what the silhouette suggests, and the range of pace it unlocks is a genuine surprise.

The foam beds in over the first miles, similar in character to older Lightstrike Pro, and simply felt better the more it was used. It is stable, more nimble than its bulk suggests, and much easier to turn up the pace in than the Vomero Plus. Notably, there is no carbon plate or any plate between the foam layers, yet it ticks nearly every box of a modern super trainer: soft enough for easy days, stable as you like, and versatile across paces.

Outsole: Deep Ridges and Full-Length Rubber Coverage

The outsole features deep ridges in the forefoot, and the rubber stretches right back into the heel, offering good protection for the softer PEBA foam. Given the shoe’s training purpose on roads, pavement, and exposed aggregate concrete, that generous rubber coverage makes sense for longevity.

Traction held up on bone-dry roads, and other impressions note it performed fine even in cold and icy conditions. The only drawback is early grit and dirt build-up in those ridges, so keep a medium bristle brush handy. It scores 2.8 out of 3, lessened only by that debris issue.

A small bonus: the shoe comes with a nicely produced booklet telling the story of the technology, midsole material, and design details. It is a small touch that makes the package feel more premium.

Value: Premium Pricing With Room to Save

The UFO launched at £200 in the UK and has since dropped to around £180, still sitting alongside other super trainers like the Superblast and close to the Vomero Plus. Performance-wise, it belongs right in there with the Superblast 2, sharing that same hollow-but-light feel, somewhere between the V2 and V3.

Build quality is excellent out of the box: no glue marks, clean stitching, top-notch finishing. The main criticism is the retail price, which feels a touch expensive. One practical route: signing up to a retailer mailing list such as End Clothing gets a one-time 20% off code, bringing the price down to around £144, which is excellent value for what this shoe delivers. Value scores 2.7 out of 3 for that slightly steep retail positioning.

Buying Advice

For half marathon and marathon training, the RAD UFO is a genuinely versatile tool: soft enough for recovery runs, stable enough for long efforts, and quick enough for pace bursts. It is a bit much for short, fast sessions and for lighter runners who prefer less shoe. If you can find it discounted, it becomes one of the more compelling max-cushion trainers available, and it edges out heavier rivals like the Vomero Plus on weight and nimbleness.

Conclusion

The RAD UFO earns a total of 11.1 out of 12 across upper, midsole, outsole, and value. It is a well-built, bold-looking max-cushion super trainer with real pace range, an impressively wide and stable platform, and only modest complaints: a touch of extra weight in the upper, tread debris build-up, and a retail price that rewards patience or a discount code. A strong first impression from RAD, and well worth a look for long-run-focused runners.